'Think again' call over fire strike

Firefighters are being balloted on strike action

Firefighters in Scotland have been urged to pause for thought before filling in ballot papers on strike action.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) wants staff to consider the consequences of their vote.

The umbrella group for councils said that a strike could result in the loss of innocent lives and hardship for families.

There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by waiting for the results of the independent review

Pat Watters
Cosla president

Ballot papers began dropping through the letter boxes of more than 5,000 Scottish firefighters and control room staff over the weekend.

They are being offered a 4% pay rise - with the possibility of more if they take part in a review of their working practices.

The Fire Brigades Union has refused to co-operate with the review and is seeking a 40% rise which would increase pay to £30,000 a year.

However, Cosla president Pat Watters said that was an "unrealistic" demand.

"An increase in pay for a very respected and valued workforce which reflects a modern day fire service must be the aspiration of everyone connected with this vital public service - the government, local authority politicians, the FBU and the fire-fighters alike," he said.

"The independent review that the government has proposed is the only way forward."

Public services

He said union leaders should take the chance to put their arguments forward during that review process.

"Now is not the time to strike. Now is not the time to disrupt public services and put the public at risk.

"But now is the time to press for a fair and speedy outcome to the review from which will emerge a more highly paid, modern, responsive fire service in which the country can continue to take immense pride," said Cllr Watters.

And he added: "There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by waiting for the results of the independent review."